Welcoming a visitor

The Nahua traditionally had very firm rules of behaviour, manners and what we call etiquette, that they inherited from their ancestors. (Written by Ian Mursell/Mexicolore)

For example, children NEVER spoke before their elders at home, and were under strict orders to clean and clear up after a meal. We even find parents commanding kids not to ‘let snot hang from your nose’!Guess who ALWAYS spoke first when a visitor came to the home - host or guest?You ‘guest’ right! The visitor remained standing and automatically apologised for the intrusion (s)he caused. The host stayed sitting down, and normally replied ‘You’ve tired yourself (by coming)’ - i.e., ‘Welcome’...

Source:Nahuas and Spaniards by James Lockhart, Stanford University Press, 1991Picture by and courtesy of Felipe Dávalos.